Release Detail

June 20, 2000 - New Yorkers Luv NY And Want Family And Friends To Come,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
They Say Tourism Is Important

Most New Yorkers love New York and plan to spend at least some of their vacation
enjoying the Big Apple, according to a Quinnipiac University Poll released today.

In overwhelming numbers, New York City voters say they would recommend to out-of-
town family and friends that they vacation in New York City.

Fifty-two percent of New Yorkers say they "love" New York, up from 46 percent in a
June 3, 1999, Quinnipiac University poll; 30 percent say they "like" New York, while 2
percent say they "dislike" New York and one percent say they "hate" New York.

These feelings for their home town are consistent among men and women and black,
white and Hispanic voters.

And 84 percent of New Yorkers say they would recommend a Big Apple vacation to
out-of-town friends and relatives, while 14 percent say they would not.

"We're in a New York state of mind, we love our home town," said Maurice Carroll,
director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "We want to share our town with out-
of-towners, as well, and we even plan to spend some of our own vacation in the Big Apple,
New Yorkers say. "

"Both visitors and residents are in love with New York City," said Cristyne Lategano-
Nicholas, President & CEO of NYC & Company - the Convention & Visitors Bureau, New
York's official tourism marketing agency.

"The city's unprecedented renaissance is attracting people from around the city and the
world," said Lategano-Nicholas.

"This year, a record 34 million New York City visitors will spend $16.4 billion dollars
and support more than 263,000 city jobs. We're pleased about the poll's findings that New
Yorkers appreciate the incredible importance of the tourism industry to our city."

Asked if they plan to spend any time as "tourists" in their home town:

19 percent say the plan to spend "a few days;"

13 percent say the plan to spend "about one week;"

7 percent say they plan to spend "about two weeks;"

19 percent say they plan to spend more than two weeks;

39 percent say they plan to spend no time touring the city.

Tourism is "very important" to New York City's economy, according to 76 percent of
city voters, while 19 percent say it is "somewhat important" and 4 percent say it is "not very
important" or "not important at all.

Asked what they like to do most in the Big Apple:

23 percent choose the theater, including 21 percent of men and 25 percent of women;

19 percent like museums, with similar responses from men and women;

22 percent prefer dining out, with 28 percent of men and 17 percent of women selecting
this option;

22 percent like to shop, with 15 percent of men and 28 percent of women choosing this;

9 percent prefer sightseeing, with similar responses from men and women.

"As much as New Yorkers like to grumble about the tourists, most of them are tourists
at heart and understand that tourism is important for the City," Carroll said.

From June 6 - 12, Quinnipiac University surveyed 815 New York City registered
voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percent. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed
by Douglas Schwartz, conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey and
Connecticut as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

31. How would you describe your feelings about New York City? Do you love
New York City, like it, have mixed feelings about it, dislike it, or hate it?

Tot Wht Blk Hisp Men Wom

Love 52% 54% 48% 50% 51% 52%

Like 30 31 29 30 31 30

Mixed 15 12 18 18 16 14

Dislike 2 1 5 1 1 2

Hate 1 1 - 1 1 1

DK/NA - - - - - -

32. Would you recommend to out of town family and friends, that they
vacation in New York City or not?

Tot Wht Blk Hisp Men Wom

Yes 84% 87% 77% 82% 85% 83%

No 14 12 22 15 14 15

DK/NA 2 2 1 3 1 2

33. Do you plan to spend time vacationing or sightseeing in New York
City this summer?

IF YES: About how long do you think you will vacation or sightsee
in New York City this summer? A few days, about a week, about 2 weeks,
or more than that?

Tot Wht Blk Hisp Men Wom

A few days 19% 20% 15% 21% 21% 17%

About one week (1wk) 13 11 14 15 12 13

About two weeks (2wks) 7 7 8 8 8 7

More than that 19 18 17 24 17 20

No Time 39 39 44 31 38 39

DK/NA 4 4 3 1 3 4

34. Which of the following do you most like to do in New York City --
Visit museums, shop, dine out, sightsee, or go to the theater?

Tot Wht Blk Hisp Men Wom

Museums 19% 22% 15% 15% 20% 19%

Shop 22 12 39 37 15 28

Dine out 22 26 15 15 28 17

Sightsee 9 8 8 13 10 8

Theater 23 26 17 20 21 25

OTHER(VOL) 2 1 4 1 3 1

DK/NA 3 4 2 - 4 3

35. How important do you think tourism is to New York City's economy?
Very important, somewhat important, not very important or not
important at all?